The proposed policy will also include banning e-cigarettes and other non-tobacco nicotine products.

JACKSON, MI — The keywords are “non-tobacco nicotine products.”

The Jackson Public School Board discussed the proposed tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine policy for staff and students at Monday's school board meeting.

If the policy is passed, non-tobacco nicotine products such as e-cigarettes would not be allowed on school property. The language in the policy also includes chewing tobacco and strips that may contain nicotine.

Ben Pack, JPS assistant superintendent of human resources, said the policy move would bring the school district more in line with what other schools in the county are implementing.

“While our policies in this area have been strong, there is a movement countywide to have our policies all look the same,” Pack said.

He realizes the new rule would be challenging to enforce.

“It is going to be very difficult to enforce, but it’s a good policy," he said. "There are certain things in the policy we can’t enforce now, and this will cover it. We didn’t have non-nicotine products in there before.”

He said if an employee wanted to use one of the non-tobacco nicotine products in his or her classroom right now, they could.

JPS Superintendent Dan Evans said consequences for violating the policy are laid out in the school handbook for students, and expulsion is one possibility. Parents would be notified.

If staff were to violate the policy, it would be considered insubordination and discipline would follow.

The proposed policy does not include banning products classified as nicotine “replacement therapy” prescribed by a physician to help smokers quit. These could include nicotine lozenges, gum and patches.

Steve Sukta from the Jackson County Intermediate School District said the policies have been presented to school districts as a “model policy.”

He said they are also endorsed by the Jackson County Health Department, Allegiance health and the Health Improvement Organization.

The proposed policies are expected to be adopted at the Nov. 5 meeting.